"Let the Feast begin," the headmistress announced and took her seat.

Hermione froze. She didn't know what to do or where to look. She was scared and angry at the same time. All she knew at that moment was she needed to breathe and needed fresh air.

"I have to go." Hermione leaned over and whispered to Neville.

Neville looked worried and knew why she wanted to leave leaning over to see Bellatrix staring daggers at Hermione. "Do you need me to come with you?"

"No stay. I'm going to Minerva's office. Let her know before you leave?"

With that Hermione made her way out of the back door glancing only once at Bellatrix on her way out.

When Hermione made it to Minerva's office, she just started pacing and talking to herself.

"Why is Lestrange here? A teacher… impossible! She tortured people. She tortured me!" Hermione continued…"why is she even allowed to be near all these children? Why didn't McGonagall warn me?"

"Ms. Granger those are all very fair questions," spoke one of the portraits from above the fireplace.

"Professor Dumbledore. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to see or hear any of that. Gosh you must think it's ridiculous to behave in such a way."

"Please take a seat Ms. Granger." Hermione sat as Dumbledore continued speaking. "I'm sure Minerva had motivation not to tell you of Professor Black prior to your arrival."

"But how is that even okay?" Hermione asked bewildered.

"Would you have accepted the position had you known?"

Hermione thought and sighed." No probably not."

"Perhaps it was for the best."

Minerva had entered by this point but stayed in the shadows listening to Hermione and Dumbledore.

Dumbledore continued, "from my experience people, even those that seem the most far gone, have the ability to change. Remember Severus was neither black or white. Maybe Bellatrix is another shade of grey entirely."

Hermione sat in silence as she absorbed his words.

"Ms. Granger, I know you have many questions for me. Before you begin yelling, I would like for you to see some memories of my time with Professor Black in my pensieve."

Hermione looked at Minerva as she motioned for Hermione to follow her over to the pensieve. Hermione took a deep breath, sighed and submerged herself into the first of Minerva's memories.

3 months after the final battle.

Minerva was seated in the Minister's office. "As you know Minerva there have been a fair number of Voldemort's followers who denounced him at the final battle" Kingsley stated.

"Yes Minister, I am aware of that. What I'm not aware of is why I'm here and what this has to do with the reconstruction of the school as your owl implied."

"I know you already have a team of professors and students who have helped you come up with a base plan for reconstruction. I have also heard of the many volunteers from Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. I have no reservations about your ability to restore Hogwarts."

"Then why am I here?" Minerva asked rather shortly.

"Ahh yes. Well we have a former death eater that is desperate to say out of Azkaban. She left before the end of the battle and she claims she is ready to change. She has given us information about the location of many death eaters and we have been able to bring them to justice. Here at the ministry we have our doubts that is ready for a pardon so we have offered her a partial pardon. We believe with your direction, you can help her find her way to the right path."

"And who am I to be babysitting, Minister?"

"Bellatrix Lestrange."

Minerva's jaw dropped and Hermione was whisked out of the room and into the next memory inside Minerva's office. She was sitting opposite Bellatrix.

"Well I can't say that I'd have ever expected to be sitting here across from you. Offering you a job and a place to live, Madam Lestrange."

"Black." Was all Bellatrix said.

"Excuse me?"

"You called me Lestrange. That name died with Rudolphus. That sham of a marriage is thankfully over. I've taken Black back and it's suiting me fine. Thank you."

"Okay then Ms. Black. So you are here as per the request of the ministry. You'll work here helping to rebuild the castle, you'll live here and we will have weekly supervision. You will also meet with a soul healer every week." Minerva said before taking a sip of her tea.

"Ive already signed the ministry's bullshit paperwork. It went something like 'work hard and play well with others' and I'll earn my full pardon." Bellatrix said rolling her eyes and waving her hand dismissively.

"Make no mistake Black, one toe out of line and you will be taken straight to Azkaban. Are we clear?" Minerva asked eyes narrowing at Bellatrix.

"Crystal." Hermione heard Bellatrix replied as she was ripped out of that memory and into the next scene inside of what Hermione believed to be Bellatrix's living quarters.

Hermione walked over to face the couch. Bellatrix was sitting with her hands covering her face with her shoulders slumped forward. Minerva was sitting next to her with a hand rested on the dark witches shoulder. Hermione listened with increased curiosity.

"I don't know how much longer I can do this." Bellatrix whispered.

"Bellatrix what happened today?"

"It's been almost two years that I've been here. I've been going to this soul healer every week and every week she makes me feel like shit. I've been working hard and nothing has changed. I have no one."

"Bella. You know that's not true." Minerva tried to interrupt.

"No of course there is Cissy and Draco. CIssy said one day soon I might be able to see Andi though I doubt she will want to see me. I've caused so much hurt and pain to everyone. The darkness is always there just waiting for it's chance to come rippling out of my body. Some days the urge to Crucio is screaming inside my head." Bellatrix confessed.

"You've come so far these past two years. Hogwarts is ready to open but…"

Minerva was cut off by Bellatrix. "I haven't been cleared. Am I going back to Azkaban?" She asked with an air of desperation.

"No. Dear. I'd like you to stay here and continue to work as our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor."

"Me? Teaching children? Are you mad?" Bellatrix laughed.

"No, I think you know the dark arts better than anyone and if you continue to work here you can keep working towards your pardon."

"What if something happens and I can't control myself among the dark arts?" Bellatrix asked worried.

"Then you excuse yourself and come to find me."

"I supposed to that could work."

"There is just one more thing I need to discuss with you." Minerva said hesitantly.

"Go on…"

"Ive asked someone to come teach Muggle Studies and she may not be as accepting of you at first." Minerva confessed.

"So. Somebody I've tortured. No?" Bellatrix said with an unreadable expression.

"Well yes and she has no idea of your work and progress from the past two years. She has been away from the Wizarding World completely."

"So she still sees me ask Bellatrix Lestrange, lieutenant to the Dark Lord and death eater. Well then… who is she?" Bellatrix asked seemingly unphased.

"Hermione Granger."

Bellatrix's face dropped. "The Mudblood."

At those solemn words, Hermione was pulled from the pensieve back into the present to face McGonagall. Hermione had a lot of strong feelings about what she had just seen. She felt angry, scared and surprisingly she felt a little sorrow for Bellatrix.

"How am I supposed to react to all of that?" Hermione asked while gesturing to the pensieve.

"It's a lot to take in. It's as if Lestrange and Black are two different people." Minerva replied.

"But she gave me this and laughed in my face while doing it," Hermione huffed out while rolling up her sleeve showing Minerva the scarred mudblood wound that never faded.

She continued, "I've lived with this for the past two and a half years. She has haunted my dreams. I'm just supposed to let that go?"

"No. I wouldn't expect you to but I also know that you are a Gryffindor and don't give up when things seem impossibly difficult. I wasn't lying when I said she offered to help you with your parents." Minerva pressed.

"So how do I get over this?" She asked pointing to her arm.

"Well I suppose that is something you will need to reconcile with Professor Black. I know this isn't going to be easy for you or her and it is a lot to take in. I don't expect you to become her best friend or to even care for her. I do hope that the two of you can reach some civility to help bring your parents back. Now Ms. Granger, It's been a long day. I suggest you go to your quarters and prepare for your lessons tomorrow. Muggle studies has session of Tuesday and Thursday so you have time to prepare for your first lesson. Good luck with everything this semester, Hermione. I am always here if you need anything."

"Thank you, Minerva." Hermione said as she got up to leave.

As she was walking away, Dumbledore spoke again. "Remember what I said Hermione. There are infinite shades of grey."